Prayer
Of all the things the New Testament mentions as gospel-promoting activities (giving money, speaking of Jesus, and so on) prayer is the one most frequently urged. I do not for a moment want to encourage readers to be silent about their faith: that would be a tragedy and a sure sign of ill health as Christians. But even more tragic, I believe, would be our silence in prayer, the primary evangelistic task of every believer. (John Dickson)
John Dickson argues that prayer is the primary evangelistic task of every believer. Prayer is more important than gospel proclamation or doing good deeds. We often verbally acknowledge the importance of prayer; yet, we do not actually desperately pray for the lost and for God’s workers in the harvest. Jesus asks all disciples to get involved in the harvest.
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
(Matthew 9:35-38 ESV – emphasis mine)
Before Jesus “calls” and “sends out” the twelve disciples (10:1), he asks all disciples to get involved in the harvest in a more basic way (9:37). They are to ask the Lord of the harvest to send out such gospel workers. The vital link between the masses who need to hear the gospel and the “workers” who are sent out to preach the gospel is the whole company of disciples praying for the work of the gospel. (John Dickson)
God has designed it so that we who go and those who send are connected to the “work” through prayer. We are all to be praying for God to send more workers into his harvest. What does this prayer look like? Is it enough to stop for 10 seconds each day and pray a simple prayer asking God to send more workers into the harvest?
The assumption here is that believers will be moved with the compassion of Jesus for the world and so will not simply “ask” God to send out more workers, as one request among many; they will plead with him to do so. God’s people understand the world’s need for the Shepherd, feel the compassion of Christ toward them and beg the Lord of the harvest to advance the work of the gospel. (John Dickson)
Jesus is calling us to plead with God to send more workers. He desires us to be broken over the lostness that we see among the Hui and other unreached people groups (UPGs) and as a result to fall on our knees and cry out for God to send “harvesters.” When we cry out for God to send workers, we join in the work God is doing among those peoples.
At the very least, I am saying that when you pray for the work of the Gospel, and in particular, for the sending out of more “workers”, you are actually promoting the Gospel. You are personally seeking the salvation of others in obedience to, and in imitation of, the “friend of sinners.”
(John Dickson)
Prayer Video Resources
Likewise, when a foreigner, who is not of your people Israel, comes from a far country for your name’s sake (for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house, hear in heaven your dwelling place and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to you, in order that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you, as do your people Israel, and that they may know that this house that I have built is called by your name.
(1 Kings 8:41-43)
King Solomon cries out to God to help the foreigners who call out to God. Paul also urges Christ followers to plead with God on behalf of those who are not following Jesus.
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (Romans 10:1 ESV)
The Jews had rejected and persecuted Paul many times. Paul was also called and sent out as the apostle to the Gentiles; yet, he continued to plead with God for the salvation of the Jews. Paul not only prayed for the Jews but for all people, everywhere.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV)
As you seek a burden for the Hui that will lead you to plead with God to send workers into the harvest, pray asking for God’s heart for the Hui, search the Scriptures and meditate on God’s love for the lost and get to know the Hui. The more real the Hui become to you the more you will care about them. Read stories about actual Hui people and their lives and concerns. Go through this website and browse the stories and become knowledgeable about the Hui and their customs. Pray through the 30 day prayer guide. Watch videos that introduce the Hui and provide a window into their world. Take trips and meet Hui people and hear their concerns and needs and see the lostness. Visit cities that contain more than 500,000 Hui who have never heard the Gospel. The more you humanize the Hui the more you will be burdened for them and cry out to God for them!
God we cry out to you, please send thousands of workers into your harvest among the Hui!
To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:18-20 ESV)
How are we to pray:
- Keep alert and pray with all perseverance
- Pray for all the saints (all believers)
What are we to pray for God’s workers:
- Pray for workers to boldly open their mouths and proclaim the mystery of the Gospel
Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 ESV)
What are we to pray for God’s workers:
- Pray for the Gospel to quickly spread and to be honored (received) by those who hear it.
- Pray for protection for God’s workers from wicked and evil men.
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak. (Colossians 4:2-4 ESV)
How are we to pray:
- Pray steadfastly
- Be alert and pray in a spirit of thanksgiving
What we are to pray for God’s workers:
- Pray for God to open a door for the the Gospel to be proclaimed. Pray for access and openness even when doors appear to be closed.
- Pray that the Gospel will be proclaimed clearly.
An “open door” for the message, even though the chief messenger is locked up “in chains”: only prayer could ensure such a beautifully illogical reality! Paul was confident that, through the intercessions of other believers, God’s Word would never be constrained by mere circumstances.
May meditating on these passages challenge all of us to daily, intentionally pray for God’s workers among the Hui. May we be reminded of the importance of prayer and our dependence on God. Prayer is a responsibility not for just a few of us but all of us. We are all capable of falling on our knees and crying out to God on behalf of lost peoples around the world and on behalf of those whom God has sent out to declare His marvelous wonders. As we pray, we join in “promoting” the Gospel among the Hui and other unreached peoples around the world.
Observing this reminds us that ultimately the mission is not ours but God’s. If the fundamental gospel-promoting activity is hidden from us, it is clear that involvement in God’s mission requires faith more than activism, dependence more than programs and humility more than boldness. (John Dickson)
Not all of us will feel confident speaking to others about salvation, but all of us can be confident speaking about others to the Saviour himself. Doing so is a fundamental expression of both dependence on God and commitment to his mission; it is a hidden but glorious promotion of the gospel.
(John Dickson)
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Prayer Requests
- Pray for God’s workers among the Hui to boldly proclaim the Gospel.
- Pray for God’s workers among the Hui to clearly proclaim the Gospel.
- Pray for protection for God’s workers from wicked and evil men.
- Pray for God to open doors among the Hui for the Gospel to be proclaimed.
- Pray that the Gospel will quickly spread among the Hui and that many will honor it and believe!